Abstract
As part of a statewide survey of experiences related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and competencies of a random sample of primary care physicians in California done in early 1986, we interviewed 1,000 internists, family and general practitioners about their sexual history-taking and counseling practices. Less than 4% have patients complete a history form that includes questions about sexual orientation or practices, and only 10% ask new patients questions specific enough to identify those at high risk of exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus. Internists, women and younger physicians and those expressing little discomfort in dealing with gay men more often took adequate sexual histories and gave appropriate advice. Among those physicians with patients at risk of becoming infected, only half recommended the use of condoms and 60% advised a reduction in the number of partners. More than 15% recommended abstention from sexual intercourse, and 8% suggested these patients should switch to a heterosexual life-style.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Ende J., Rockwell S., Glasgow M. The sexual history in general medicine practice. Arch Intern Med. 1984 Mar;144(3):558–561. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lewis C. E., Freeman H. E., Kaplan S. H., Corey C. R. The impact of a program to enhance the competencies of primary care physicians in caring for patients with AIDS. J Gen Intern Med. 1986 Sep-Oct;1(5):287–294. doi: 10.1007/BF02596205. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lewis C. E., Wells K. B., Ware J. A model for predicting the counseling practices of physicians. J Gen Intern Med. 1986 Jan-Feb;1(1):14–19. doi: 10.1007/BF02596319. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mathews W. C., Booth M. W., Turner J. D., Kessler L. Physicians' attitudes toward homosexuality--survey of a California County Medical Society. West J Med. 1986 Jan;144(1):106–110. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]